Sutherland picked up his master's degree in public administration from the University of Missouri, a two-year task juggled between the classroom and his duties in Jefferson City. "At some point I have to think what I'm about to do next," Sutherland said. However, his fourth and final term doesn't end for another 1 1/2 years. While reflecting on the recent legislative session, Sutherland acknowledged it dragged along at first as the Republican-led House adjusted to newly elected Gov. Jay Nixon. "It started out slow and didn't look like it would be that productive," he said. "But we got the budget done and important parts of the legislation done." One piece of legislation Sutherland is most proud of was a bill he sponsored providing tax breaks for smaller businesses in the state. The bill eliminates the franchise tax for businesses with assets of less than $10 million. Previously, small businesses with assets less than $1 million were taxed. Sutherland felt the bill provided a relief for smaller businesses that already were paying corporate income taxes and property taxes. He said the approved measure would help approximately 15,000 small- and medium-size businesses in the state. "It was a form of double taxation," Sutherland explained. "It was a tax where businesses had to pay more whether were they were making money or not. It was important we did something that was going to strengthen tax reform." Sutherland also reintroduced the Large Carnivore Act, a bill aimed at forcing owners of animals such as lions and tigers to obtain a permit in addition to their licenses from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, for at least the fourth straight year, the bill was shot down in the Senate, according to Sutherland. In the past, Sutherland had sponsored the bill following local concerns at the Wesa-A-Geh-Ya animal facility located in northwest portion of the county off Highway A. However, Sutherland felt the bill would have had more statewide support following two tiger attacks in the state last fall, including one locally. Last August, a volunteer had his leg surgically amputated after being mauled by a tiger at Wesa-A-Geh-Ya. Sutherland said the bill was killed in a Senate committee once it passed through the House. "It's very frustrating," Sutherland acknowledged. "It gets over to the Senate and it never gets to be heard." One item that Sutherland felt got away during the session was an opportunity to reform the state's health care system. He said the bill, which was approved in the House but failed in the Senate, would have helped Missourians receive better insurance coverage. "That was disappointing," he said.